Six killed in sectarian violence in Cairo

CAIRO: Clashes between Muslims and Christians in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Saturday left nine dead and more than 100 injured and a church was set on fire, medical and security officials said. The two groups clashed after Muslims attacked the Coptic Saint Mena church in the working class neighbourhood of Imbaba to free a Christian woman they alleged was being held against her will because she wanted to convert to Islam. A parish priest, Father Hermina, told AFP that at least five of the dead were Copts who died when "thugs and (Muslim fundamentalist) Salafis fired at them" in the late afternoon attack. The Gospel had been laid on a body wrapped in a sheet that was lying inside the church. The church floor was bloodstained as wounded Christians were brought in for treatment. Outside, military police parked several armoured cars to block off Muslim protesters. They fired ...